Oil Stain Removal

Oil stains caused by edible oil, motor oil, grease, etc., are a normal part of everyday life. As we know oil repels water, oil stain removal cannot be achieved by just washing the fabric with water and detergent.

Whether it's a cooking, automotive or lubricating oil stain, it is difficult to completely get rid of it. One of the key ways is to treat it as early as possible. Though there are many pre-treat products available in the market today, the basic oil stain removal technique is to soak the area for some time, and then wash with detergent in hot water. For lighter marks, you can soak the greased area in a pre-treatment remover for some time. This will enable the remover to percolate through the affected area and loosen the bonds of the agent with the fabric. Then, rub the stain with a powerful detergent and wash as usual. For heavy stains, place the greased area facing downward on an absorbent paper or towel till the stain soils the towel. Allow the fabric to dry and wash in hot water thoroughly.

How to Remove Oil Stains?

Oil stain removal methods for specific types of oils and conditions are as follows:

Removing marks from any type of fabric like a table cloth or carpet can be a cumbersome job. I am sure all of us must have at least once experienced this tedious situation. Though it is difficult, by using the right product and process, you can remove the stain. For light marks, you can use rubbing alcohol on a clean paper or towel to blot. But remember not to rub the stain from the outer edge toward the center. For larger marks, moisten the towel with a dry cleaning solvent to blot the stain from outside in. If the stain still persists, repeat the procedure for few more days.

To remove salad oil stain from fabrics, immediately scrape the upper layer of the cloth with a spoon or butter knife. Sprinkle baby powder on the stain spot. You can also apply few drops of liquid dish soap on the stain, as here the detergent acts as an emulsifier that will loosen the oil clinging to the fibers of the cloth. Allow the soap to soak for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash the fabric with hot water and repeat the procedure if necessary.

Baby oil, hair oil, sewing machine oil stains, etc., can be removed by rubbing the area with a dishwashing liquid and keeping it for 15 to 20 minutes. After this, wash the fabric in hot water and repeat the process if some stain remains.

For fatty butter and cream marks, wash the cloth in warm soapy water, and if the cloth is non-washable, sponge the stain with a dry cleaning fluid.

Remove the excess oil with a dull knife or spoon, and use liquid detergent to rub through the stained fabric. Keep it like this for some time and wash the fabric in hot water.

The above mentioned techniques will you help in removing those stubborn and ugly stains. Before starting the removal process, check the fabric care instructions, as the treatment can vary from fabric to fabric. Always check the stain area before you dry the cloth to make sure the stain is removed completely.